Device and method for the amelioration of recesses

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device ( 1 ) for the amelioration of a recess ( 8 ) e.g. a recess in a (human) bone ( 7 ). The device comprises an element ( 2 ) for producing or coupling mechanical energy, and a cylindrical collar ( 4 ) comprising a cylindrical lateral surface having an outside diameter and having a central recess ( 26 ) for accommodating a guide pin ( 3 ). The guide pin ( 3 ) is provided to be inserted substantially down to the base of the recess ( 8 ) before applying oscillations, and in the region of the end thereat facing the base of the recess it is surrounded by an amelioration sleeve ( 6 ) made from a material that can be liquefied by way of ultrasonic oscillations. The cylindrical lateral surface of the amelioration sleeve ( 6 ) substantially has the same outside diameter as the collar ( 4 ), and the guide pin ( 3 ) is accommodated in the central recess ( 26 ) in a displaceable manner such that the collar ( 4 ) upon applying ultrasonic oscillations can be displaced relative to the guide pin ( 3 ) in the direction toward the base of the recess ( 8 ) while liquefying and laterally and/or longitudinally displacing the material of the amelioration sleeve ( 6 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a device for the amelioration of arecess, particularly of a recess in a porous or perforate materialhaving cavities freed by the recess, for example wood, technicalmaterial, human or animal bone, etc., and to elements of such devices,and to sterile packages comprising such elements. It further relates tomethods for the amelioration of recesses in porous or perforatematerials having cavities freed by the recess, for example in human oranimal bone, particularly in jaw bone or spinal column bone.

PRIOR ART

Particularly from the field concerned with securing implants in recessesin the human or animal body, for example in drilled holes in bones, itis known to screw implants, which for example are provided with aself-tapping thread, into such recesses under application of force andthen to wait for the implant to become incorporated in the bone.

It is likewise known, particularly in the case of recesses provided inespecially porous bone sections, that the primary stability may beinsufficient, that is to say the stability of the implant in the recessimmediately after being screwed in, that is to say before the actualincorporation process has ended.

In order to solve such problems, it has already been proposed (see, forexample, EP 1 363 543) to produce the implant at least partially or evencompletely from a material that can be liquefied by mechanical energy.The liquefiable material can be liquefied by mechanical oscillationsafter the implant has been inserted into the tissue area, and in thisway a form-fit connection is produced between bone and implant by virtueof the liquefied and thereafter resolidified material. A disadvantage ofsuch solutions is the fact that very specific implants are needed to beable to carry out such methods. A further disadvantage is that theliquefiable material cannot be introduced in a sufficiently targetedmanner into the desired areas and often disappears, for example, inlarge recesses arranged at the bottom of the recesses, without in theend contributing to the actual primary stabilization.

The concept of filling recesses in a human body with the aid of aliquefiable material has in principle been known for some time,particularly in the dental field. Thus, U.S. Pat. No. 3,919,775describes a method for filling and preparing openings with the aid of aliquefiable material which is initially pressed into the opening andwhich is then liquefied with the aid of a sonotrode, that is to say adevice with which mechanical energy in the form of ultrasound can beintroduced. The liquefied material then flows into cavities adjoiningthe recess and closes these cavities. In other fields where technicalmaterials such as wood, plastics, foams, etc. are processed, suchtechniques are also known in the widest sense.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is accordingly to make available a devicefor the amelioration of a recess. The device is intended in particularto be suitable for preparing recesses in a porous material, or in amaterial formed with holes or cavities adjoining the recess, for furtherworking. This particularly involves preparing recesses or (blind) holesor through-openings in wood or wood-like materials, porous plastics, orfoam material, particularly a polymer foam, a composite foam and/or ametal foam, but also in human or animal bone, for example preparing suchrecesses for the subsequent securing of securing means or implants (alsoincluding the securing of pins or tendons, or the anchoring ofartificial joints, for example hip, finger, shoulder, etc.), such that,in the case of non-human or non-animal material, the additional use ofadhesives can be avoided and, in the case of bone material, a rapidprimary stabilization of the implant is ensured. On the other hand, theamelioration is also intended to be suitable for as it were sealing sucha recess, as may be of interest in endodontics, for example, inconnection with the closure of root canals.

This object is achieved by the fact that such a device, which has anelement for generating or coupling in mechanical energy, particularlyvibration energy or oscillation energy, for example ultrasonicoscillations, also has a cylindrical collar with cylindrical jacketsurface having an external diameter and having a central recess forreceiving a guide pin. The guide pin is provided, and in particulararranged in the recess, so as to be inserted substantially as far as thebottom of the recess before mechanical energy, particularly in the formof oscillations, is applied (or so as to be caught at least in the areaof the bottom of the recess, for example in a guide taper), therebyensuring optimal guiding of the tool. The guide pin, in the area of theend thereof directed toward the bottom of the recess, is surrounded byan amelioration sleeve made from a material that can be liquefied bymechanical energy, particularly by oscillation energy, preferablyultrasonic oscillations. The (circular) cylindrical jacket surface ofthe amelioration sleeve has substantially the same external diameter asthe collar, and the guide pin is received movably in the central recesssuch that, when mechanical energy is applied, preferably in the form ofultrasonic oscillations, the collar can be moved relative to the guidepin in the direction toward the bottom of the recess while liquefyingand laterally and/or longitudinally displacing the material of theamelioration sleeve.

The guide pin is received movably in the central recess in a mannerpreferably virtually free of play, that is to say the external diameterof the guide pin corresponds substantially to the internal diameter ofthe central recess and is only smaller to the extent that the guide pincan be moved longitudinally in the recess. The difference between theexternal diameter of the guide pin and the internal diameter of therecess should therefore not be greater than 0.001 mm or 0.01 mm; theupper limit, e.g. in applications in the field of implants, is normally0.1-0.5 mm or 0.2-0.3 mm.

One of the core aspects of this device is therefore, on the one hand, toprovide a guide pin which can be pushed into the depth of the recess andcan ensure the subsequent guiding of the tool. The guide pin thusserves, on the one hand, for optimal positioning of the tool in thedepth of the recess. However, on the other hand, the guide pin alsoserves to guide the collar, which surrounds the guide pin as it were inthe upper area (at the start of the process). At the start of theprocess, the amelioration sleeve, arranged below the collar, likewisesurrounds the guide pin.

The amelioration sleeve preferably has an external diameter which is thesame as (or possibly very slightly smaller than) the external diameterof the collar. The recess is typically of cylindrical shape. It must bestressed here that although the expression “cylindrical shape” is to beunderstood as preferably a circular cylindrical shape (that is to saywith a circular cross section perpendicular to the main axis), it canalso be understood as meaning shapes that have an oval or lenticular orelliptic cross section perpendicular to the main axis of the tool. Inthe field of implantology in particular, there are, on the one hand,recesses that are simply circular and have been produced by using arotary drill, but there are also, for example in the case of dentalapplications, openings that are oval, lenticular or elliptic (forexample in a defined and widened shape generated by drilling and thenrasping), for example predefined by the shape of a tooth root. In thelatter case, that is to say for oval, lenticular or elliptic openings,it is therefore possible to adapt the outer shape of both the collar andthe amelioration sleeve to this for example oval-cylindrical recess.Moreover, other specific and rounded cross-sectional shapes, for exampleadapted to tooth roots, are also possible for the outer shape of thecollar and of the amelioration sleeve.

By virtue of the fact that the collar is arranged movably on the guidepin in the context of the device, it is now possible, by applying themechanical energy, e.g. the ultrasonic oscillations, and by suitableliquefying of the material of the amelioration sleeve, to introduce thematerial of the latter successively from the top downward into theporous areas, adjacent to the recess, of the material forming therecess. In this way, the cavities that could adversely affect thesubsequent securing of a screw or of an implant in the recess are filledwith the material of the amelioration sleeve in a very specific mannerin the crucial area, in particular directly at the periphery of therecess, and this results in a huge increase in the primarystabilization. However, it is not absolutely necessary for a furtherelement of any kind to be subsequently inserted into a recess that hasbeen ameliorated in this way; it is also possible, by means of theproposed method and the proposed device, to as it were seal the recessonly in a very specific manner in its peripheral area (compare theabovementioned uses in connection with endodontics).

As has already been mentioned above, a first preferred embodiment of theproposed device is accordingly characterized in that the externaldiameters of the collar and/or of the amelioration sleeve aresubstantially the same, or the latter diameter is only very slightlysmaller, and in that this external diameter, moreover, is substantiallythe same as, or only very slightly less than, the internal diameter ofthe recess that is to be ameliorated. For the case of a non-circularcylindrical cross section, this is to be understood as meaning that thecollar and/or the amelioration sleeve have substantially the same outercross section, and the two elements are arranged relative to each otherin such a way as to give a substantially smooth, i.e. stepless,transition. Thus, at the start of the process, the distal area (that isto say the area directed toward the bottom of the recess) of the tool,and also the entire area of the tool lying behind this in the recess, isalready optimally positioned and guided. The amelioration sleevetypically has a height (along the axis of the recess) which is less thanor equal to the depth of the recess, that is to say the ameliorationsleeve, at the start of the process, disappears completely in the depthof the recess, and the collar also already engages partially in theupper area of the recess, or the amelioration sleeve (particularly whenused in wood or other porous materials) ends flush with the upper edgeof the material. Typically, the collar already engages by 5-50% in therecess before the ultrasound is applied.

It is also possible for the external diameter of the collar to beslightly larger than the internal diameter of the recess that is to beameliorated (for example 0.5-2 mm larger). In this case, as the deviceis inserted, the recess that is to be ameliorated is widened slightlyfurther and/or brought to the desired shape by the device. This can beof advantage particularly in the case of technical materials.

Another preferred embodiment of the proposed device is characterized inthat the central recess is a circular cylindrical recess which isarranged coaxially with respect to the cylindrical jacket surface, inthat the amelioration sleeve has a circular cylindrical recess forreceiving the guide pin, and in that the guide pin has a circularcylindrical outer surface, wherein the internal diameters of saidrecesses are substantially the same as the external diameter of theguide pin.

Alternatively, however, other cross-sectional shapes in the centralrecess in the collar are also possible. For example, it is possible forthe central recess to have an (isosceles) triangle shape, a squareshape, or generally a polygonal shape (preferably with sides of equallength), wherein the points of such a cross-sectional shape can alsoreach as far as the external diameter of the collar. Thus, for example,more material can be deliberately provided in certain directions. Thecross-sectional shapes can also be round generalized shapes; they can beconcave or convex. Accordingly, the cross-sectional shape of the guidepin is of course analogous then, it generally being the rule that assmall a gap as possible should be formed between the guide pin and thecollar, so as to ensure that no liquefied material can enter the gapbetween these two materials. However, it is possible to verydeliberately provide channels in this gap, which channels allow materialto flow off deliberately if there is too high a pressure (for example ifno cavities are present for the displacement of the material). Suchchannels can, for example, lead the liquefied material upward, that isto say in the direction out of the recess.

In order to distribute an optimal displacement of the material of theamelioration sleeve not only downward, but also radially outward intothe peripheral area of the recess, it can be advantageous if the collar,at its distal end, has a preferably circumferential distal edge taperingtoward said distal end, wherein this edge is preferably straight, andtherefore conical, or curved, in particular concave or convex. Thistapering edge ensures that the material not only experiences adisplacement component in the direction of the bottom of the recess, butalso a radial component. The angle of inclination of this tapering edgecan be used, among other things, to determine the extent to which thematerial can be displaced in the radial direction (that is to sayperpendicular to the central axis of the recess or perpendicular to themain axis of the tool) and longitudinal direction (that is to say in thedirection toward the bottom of the recess and therefore parallel to thecentral axis of the recess or parallel to the main axis of the tool).If, for example, as little as possible is to be displaced toward thebottom of the recess (for example because this area is known to havelarge cavities that it is not desirable or necessary to fill), a veryacute angle can be chosen (for example <45°, wherein the angle isdefined as the angle between the central main axis of the collar and theinclined surface of the edge), with the result that a substantial radialcomponent is obtained. However, if as much material as possible is to bedistributed toward the bottom of the recess, an angle of greater than45° can be chosen. In any event, this angle should preferably be lessthan or equal to 90° since, at greater angles, the material (althoughthis may also be desirable) is pushed exclusively to the bottom.

The collar can also have a stepped design at the distal end. Since thecollar is preferably attached directly to the sonotrode, it isadvantageous if the wall thickness of the collar is not too small.Typically, the wall thickness of the collar should be in the range of0.3-1 mm, preferably in the range of 0.5-0.8 mm, for typicalapplications in the medical field. On the other hand, it may beadvantageous, for some applications, if the amelioration sleeve has asmaller wall thickness, to ensure that not too much material isintroduced. The amelioration sleeve preferably has a wall thickness inthe range of 0.1-1 mm, and it can also, for example, be only half asthick as the wall thickness of the collar. To take these conditions intoaccount, it is possible for the amelioration sleeve to be hollowed out,preferably circumferentially hollowed out, on its inner face behind thedistal end. Accordingly, this results in a smaller wall thickness of theamelioration sleeve, and a hollow space is obtained between guide pinand amelioration sleeve.

Alternatively, it is possible to design the amelioration sleeve of smallwall thickness with an internal diameter that is greater than theexternal diameter of the guide pin, and to support the ameliorationsleeve at the distal end by means of a special configuration of theguide pin. For this purpose, the guide pin then has, at the distal end,a flange which supports the thin amelioration sleeve on the inner facethereof. The flange then typically serves at the same time as anabutment for the collar. The flange can be formed all round thecircumference, although it can also just have segments. If the flange isdesigned in the form of segments, it is also possible that the collar,with corresponding segments in the freed areas, engages as it werethrough this flange, when the collar is pushed to the distal end of theguide pin.

This flange can also be stepped, that is to say it can have, at itsdistal end, an external diameter that corresponds substantially to theexternal diameter of the collar, and, on the proximal face, it can havea circumferential step whose radial depth preferably corresponds to thethickness of the amelioration sleeve. The amelioration sleeve then liesin this step and is optimally positioned by the latter in the forwarddirection and radially inward direction.

With thin amelioration sleeves of this kind, it is then also preferablypossible for the collar to have a stepped design at the distal endthereof, in which case, at the distal end of the collar, a cylindricalarea of smaller external diameter is provided which engages in thishollow space of the amelioration sleeve or in the gap betweenamelioration sleeve and guide pin and is circumferentially surrounded bythe amelioration sleeve of smaller wall thickness. This area of smallerexternal diameter preferably merges via an inclined flank into an areahaving the actual external diameter of the collar. In this inclinedarea, the amelioration sleeve is liquefied and the liquefied material istransported radially outward.

In the proposed device, the guide pin can preferably be pushed into thecollar at most as far as an abutment position, so as to ensure thatthere is a defined end position for the method planned with the device.In this abutment position, the guide pin typically ends at most flushwith the distal end of the collar, but preferably protrudes beyond thisend. The protruding length in the abutment position is preferably atleast 0.1-10 mm, particularly preferably 1-5 mm.

For good positioning of the guide pin in the area of the bottom of therecess, it can be advantageous if the guide pin tapers conically at itsdistal end and is preferably designed with a sharp tip, or it can beadvantageous if the guide pin is rounded at this end. The rounding, orgenerally the configuration of the tip, can be adapted to the drilltypically used for preparing the recess. If, for example, a drill isused that has an offset or a taper for guiding at the tip, then theguide pin preferably has an external diameter adapted to the diameter ofthis taper.

The device is preferably characterized in that the external diameter ofthe collar is in the range of 1-50 mm or even 1-80 mm, preferably in therange of 2-10 mm. It is also preferred that the external diameter of theguide pin is 0.1-20 mm less, preferably 0.5-10 mm less, particularlypreferably 1-5 mm less, and in that the amelioration sleeve has athickness such that the external diameter thereof is the same as theexternal diameter of the collar.

The element (the actual sonotrode) typically generates mechanical energyin the form of oscillation energy with a frequency in the range of 1kHz-10 GHz. It is preferable for the oscillation energy to be introducedin the form of ultrasonic oscillations in the frequency range of 10 kHzto 10 GHz. A frequency range of 10 kHz-100 MHz is preferred,particularly preferably a range of 40 kHz-100 MHz. Ultrasonicoscillations in the range of 20-150 kHz, preferably in the range of25-50 kHz, are normally used. These oscillations can be transmitted inthe longitudinal direction (that is to say along the axis of therecess), transverse direction (that is to say radially with respect tothe axis of the recess) or rotational direction (that is to say aboutthe axis of the recess), or in a combination or linear combination ofthese directions, to the collar and/or guide pin and thus indirectly tothe amelioration sleeve. The oscillations are preferably applied in thelongitudinal direction, in which case, for example if an inclined flankis present at the distal end of the collar, this longitudinaloscillation permits a targeted transport of the liquefied material inthe radial direction. Generally, the collar is preferably secured on thesonotrode, and the guide pin can be moved therein. Alternatively, it ispossible for the guide pin to be secured on the sonotrode, and for thecollar to be moved.

A preferred embodiment of the device is characterized in that the recessis a recess in an at least partially porous (human) bone section,particularly in a jaw bone or a spinal column bone, and in that therecess is preferably generated at least partially by preliminarydrilling.

The amelioration sleeve is preferably made from a material that can beliquefied by said mechanical energy, particularly by oscillation energy,and that is selected from the following group: thermoplasticbiocompatible polymers such as polyolefins (e.g. PP, LDPE, HDPE,UHMWPE), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyaryl ether ketones (e.g. PAEK,PEEK, PEKK), polycarbonates (PC), polyacrylates (e.g. PMMA), polyamides(PA), polyesters (e.g. PET, PBT), polysulfones and polyether sulfones(e.g. PSU, PES) and/or biodegradable or resorbable polymers, such aspoly(L-lactide) (PLLA), poly(D,L-lactide) (PDLLA) and stereocopolymersthereof with a variable ratio of the L and D,L part, polyglycolides(PGA) and copolymers, such as polyglycolide-co-trimethyelene carbonate(PGA-co-TMC), poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PDLLA-co-PGA) andpoly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLLA-co-PGA), poly(e-caprolactone),polydioxanones, trimethylene carbonates (TMC), polyorthoesters (POE) andother polyanhydrides, resorbable polymers which are produced fromnatural raw materials, such as modified polysaccharides (cellulose,chitin, dextran, starch), or a combination or a mixture of thesematerials. In principle, one or more pharmaceutical active substancescan also be provided in this material or applied as a layer on thismaterial, these generally being, for example, active substances forimproving the incorporation process, for example for promoting bonegrowth, for preventing inflammation, etc. The material can in this casebe specifically designed to release these pharmaceutical activesubstances in a controlled manner, that is to say in a controlled doseover a controlled period of time.

The material of the amelioration sleeve can be closed, but it can alsobe interrupted in different forms in each case, for example with holesor slits, in order to ensure that the amount of material to beintroduced can, if necessary, be adapted to the anatomical circumstancesor to the material density or specifically to the bone density/qualityand thus to the cavities adjoining the recess.

The present invention also relates to a guide pin, with ameliorationsleeve mounted and preferably even secured thereon (preferably until theabove method is carried out), for a device of the kind described above.The amelioration sleeve can be secured in such a way that it can stillbe easily moved by the end user applying a certain force, in order tooptimally position it for the final application. The amelioration sleevecan be secured on the guide pin in such a way that the distal end (orthe front edge of the cylinder surface of the circumference) of theguide pin ends flush with the end of the amelioration sleeve or in sucha way that, as is preferred, the distal end of the guide pin protrudesbeyond the end of the amelioration sleeve, wherein the protruding lengthis preferably at least 1-10 mm, preferably 2-5 mm. This protrudinglength can then at least partially engage in the manner of a guide forexample in the abovementioned taper of the recess that has beengenerated by a suitable drill.

A preferred embodiment of such a guide pin is characterized in that thecollar is secured on the guide pin so as to be movable within definedlimits (there are preferably a front, distal abutment and a rear,proximal abutment), and this overall unit has a coupling site forattachment to a sonotrode. Such a unit can then be made available, forexample in a sterile state, and can be used simply by being attached toa hand-held appliance with a sonotrode.

In the case of such a guide pin, the circular cylindrical guide pinpreferably has a diameter in the range of 0.5-50 mm, preferably in therange of 1-15 mm, particularly preferably in the range of 2-10 mm, andthe cylindrical amelioration sleeve has a diameter that is greater by0.1 to 20 mm, preferably by 0.2-10 mm or 0.5-10 mm, particularlypreferably by 1-5 mm or 0.2-2 mm.

The present invention additionally relates to a sterile package withsuch a guide pin.

The present invention likewise relates to a method for operating adevice of the kind described above. The method is preferablycharacterized in that the device, with mounted guide pin and mountedamelioration sleeve, is pushed into a recess which has optionally beenpre-drilled (and possibly also rasped to give an oval shape for example)and which has an internal diameter corresponding substantially to theexternal diameter of collar and amelioration sleeve (the distancebetween recesses and collar or amelioration sleeve is preferably notmore than 1 mm, preferably not more than 0.5 mm, particularly preferablynot more than 0.1 mm), until the guide pin preferably abuts against thebottom of the recess and/or engages in a guide taper arranged at thebottom of the recess, and then, with simultaneous liquefying of theamelioration sleeve by applied mechanical energy, for example by appliedultrasound, and with pushing of the distal end of the collar into therecess, liquefied material is introduced into cavities, particularlylateral cavities, adjoining the recess. This applies equally toapplications in bone and in other materials, for example wood or foammaterial, particularly polymer foam, composite foam and/or metal foam,etc.

The present invention finally relates to a method for the ameliorationof a recess in a porous material, for example wood, plastic, or human oranimal bone, using a device of the kind that has been described above.The method is preferably characterized in that the device, with mountedguide pin and mounted amelioration sleeve, is pushed into the recesswhich has optionally been pre-drilled (and which has possibly also beenbrought to a non-circular cross-sectional shape in an additional orsimultaneous work step) and which has an internal diameter correspondingsubstantially to the external diameter of collar and ameliorationsleeve, until the guide pin preferably abuts against the bottom of therecess and/or engages in a guide taper arranged at the bottom of therecess, and then, with simultaneous liquefying of the ameliorationsleeve by applied mechanical energy, preferably by applied ultrasound,and with pushing of the distal end of the collar into the recess,liquefied material is introduced into cavities, particularly lateralcavities, adjoining the recess, wherein a securing means, a joint, ajoint section, a tendon, an implant or a screw, etc., is then preferablyscrewed, if appropriate with partial self-tapping, into the amelioratedrecess.

Other preferred embodiments of the invention are described in thedependent claims.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis ofillustrative embodiments and with reference to the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of an area, a gap in a row of teeth, inwhich an implant is to be fitted;

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view according to FIG. 1, phase ofdrilling/preliminary drilling of the recess for receiving the implant;

FIG. 3 shows a sectional view according to FIG. 1, phase of selectingthe amelioration sleeve with guide pin and mounting it on a sonotrode orinserting it in a collar;

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view according to FIG. 1, phase of insertingthe amelioration sleeve into the bore, situation directly before thestart of the excitation with the sonotrode;

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view according to FIG. 1, phase of theexcitation with the sonotrode (intermediate state, with enlarged detailof the tip region), wherein a) shows an overall situation and b) anenlarged detail in the recess region;

FIG. 6 shows a sectional view according to FIG. 1, phase after theexcitation with the sonotrode (final state, with enlarged detail of thetip region), wherein a) shows an overall situation and b) an enlargeddetail in the recess region;

FIG. 7 shows a sectional view according to FIG. 1, state after theexcitation with the sonotrode and after removal of the latter from theameliorated bore (with enlarged detail of the tip region), wherein a)shows an overall situation and b) an enlarged detail in the recessregion;

FIG. 8 shows the implant being screwed in manually, supported by afinger;

FIG. 9 shows the implant fitted in place;

FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of an implant/screw inserted into asimilarly ameliorated opening in an area of the spinal column;

FIGS. 11 a)-e) show different cross-sectional designs of the guide pinin sectional views perpendicular to the central axis of the collar or ofthe amelioration sleeve, at a height where the amelioration sleeve issectioned, wherein in a) a cylindrical central opening is shown, in b) arectangular opening, in c) a hexagonal opening, in d) an octagonalopening and in e) a cross-shaped opening;

FIG. 12 shows an axial section through a device with an ameliorationsleeve having a thin wall thickness;

FIG. 13 shows an axial section through a device inserted into a recesswhich has a smaller internal diameter than the external diameter of thecollar; and

FIG. 14 shows, in each case, an axial section through two furtherdevices with an amelioration sleeve having a thin wall thickness,wherein a) shows a first embodiment and b) a second embodiment.

WAYS OF IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

The invention described in general terms above will now be explained inmore detail with reference to the figures. The description now followingis intended to support the claims and should not be used to limit them.

As a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention, we willdescribe how a device of the kind described above can be used to securea dental implant. However, as has already been explained at the outset,an analogous method using an analogous device can equally be applied forforming recesses in wood, for example, or in other porous materials,such as foam material, particularly polymer foam, composite foam and/ormetal foam, etc.

Thus, FIG. 1 shows a section through a jaw bone 7 in which, between twoteeth 17, there is a gap 19 in which the gum 18 is also interrupted. Thebone has as usual, particularly below the cortical substance (in what iscalled the trabecular or spongy area), a porous structure with cavities11. An implant is to be fitted in such a gap 19. Typically, a bone ofthis kind has, in the trabecular or spongy area, a porosity in the rangeof 30-90%, that is to say the actual structure providing a load-bearingfunction, and thus suitable for a fixture, in some cases makes up only asmall fraction of the volume.

The procedure is accordingly one in which, in a first step, which isshown schematically in FIG. 2, a drill is used to prepare the actualrecess for the implant. The drill 20 used in this illustrativeembodiment has, at one end, a securing flange for the drive (drive notshown) and, at the other end, the actual drilling section, whichgenerates the drilled hole, with the known turns 22 of the actual drill.This specific drill has a tapering portion at its tip, that is to say anarea with a diameter smaller than the actual drill area, and, in theresulting recess, this tapering portion leads to a tapered bottom areain which the diameter is slightly smaller than in the area of the recesslying further up. The drill is, for example, a drill as described in WO2004/080325.

As is indicated by the arrow 24, the drill, while rotating, is drivenalong its axis into the bone 7, and the actual recess 8 thus forms.Because this recess 8 is formed in porous bone, cavities 11 that adjointhe recess are, as it were, freed and opened in the peripheral area ofthe recess.

In a subsequent step, this recess 8 is now ameliorated so to speak, thatis to say is either prepared for the securing of an implant in such arecess or is simply sealed in respect of the open cavities 11.

For this purpose, the proposed device (cf. FIG. 3) is in this case madeready by means of a procedure in which, in the case of the device 1provided with a handle which has an element for generating ultrasoundand on which a collar 4 (cylindrical tube section with central recess26) is arranged via an upper attachment 25, a guide pin 3, with at itslower end an amelioration sleeve 6 surrounding the guide pin, is pushedinto said recess 26 of the collar 4. It is possible, for example, thatsuch guide pins 3 with amelioration sleeves 6 are presented in a holder32 in different designs (for example different thicknesses ofamelioration sleeves). The material of the amelioration sleeve is chosensuch that it can be liquefied by application of mechanical energy, inparticular of ultrasonic oscillations. The collar 4 has, at its distalend (that is to say at the end directed away from the handle 2), an edge10 that tapers toward the tip. When the guide pin 3 is pushed in, thisconical tip 10 engages in an undercut upper area (designated byreference sign 43) of the amelioration sleeve.

In connection with FIG. 3, it will be noted that, as is shown here, theguide pin and the amelioration sleeve can form a unit, although it isalso possible for the collar, the guide pin and the amelioration sleeveto constitute a unit that is disposed of after one use. It is likewisepossible that the collar and the amelioration sleeve, or othercombinations of elements, form a unit that is disposed of after one use.These units can be presented in a sterile package.

As material for the amelioration sleeve, it is possible, for example, touse a resorbable polymer material of the Resomer type obtainable fromBoehringer Ingelheim (Germany). It can be based on homopolymers oflactic acid (polylactide) or based on copolymers of lactic acid andglycolic acid, and it can also preferably be configured to ensure acontrolled release of pharmaceutical active substances (for exampleactive substances in general for improving the incorporation process,for example for promoting the growth of bone, for preventinginflammation, etc.) that are integrated in this material or are appliedthereto.

In the present case where, as has been described above, the drill hasgenerated a tapered bottom area 9 in the recess, the amelioration sleeve6 is preferably not arranged at the very tip of the guide pin butinstead set back slightly from the latter, and the guide pin has anexternal diameter corresponding substantially to the diameter of thetaper 9 in the bottom area. The device 1 that has been made ready inthis way is then pushed into the pre-drilled recess 8, as is shown inFIG. 4. The external diameter of the collar 4 is substantially identicalto the external diameter D of the amelioration sleeve, and this externaldiameter is substantially the same as or only very slightly smaller thanthe internal diameter of the recess generated by the drill. As has beenexplained above, it is also possible for the external diameter of thecollar to be slightly greater than the internal diameter of the recess,such that an additional widening of the recess takes place as the methodis carried out.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, the unit comprising guide pin 3,amelioration sleeve 6 and collar 4 can be pushed substantiallycompletely into the recess, and in particular the front tip of the guidepin also penetrates into the tapered bottom area 9, and the front areaof the device also completely fills the recesses in the radialdirection. This therefore results automatically in an optimal centeringor positioning of the device in the recess. The device is thus pushedsubstantially completely into the recess in the direction of movement13, without application of ultrasound.

It is only now that the ultrasound is switched on, as is shown in FIG.5. As the device for generating ultrasound, it is possible, for example,to use a device of the E-150 type from Branson Ultrasonics SA(Switzerland) with an operating frequency of 20 kHz and an amplitude of40 μm at the tip of the sonotrode with an energy of 150 W. Themechanical energy can exert its excitation via the collar, as ispreferable, but it is also possible to introduce the energy via theguide pin, or via both the collar and the guide pin. The material of theamelioration sleeve successively liquefies, and at the same time, bypressure on the handle 2, the collar 4 is pushed still further onto theguide pin. As a result of the beveled edge 10 of the collar 4, theliquefied material is now distributed in a very specific manner aboutthe circumference, successively from the top downward, and is introducedinto the cavities 11 freed by the recess. The liquefied material istherefore distributed in a very specific manner in the radial directionabout the circumference and into these cavities 11, insofar as thesehave been freed by the drilling, and the mostly disadvantageous movementonly toward the bottom of the recess does not take place (which movementis generally problematic in view of the fact that bone material veryoften becomes more porous with increasing depth). Moreover, the recessis not actually lined by the liquefied material, and instead it is onlythe undesired cavities adjoining the recess that are as it were filled.Those areas in which the bone already forms a clean border of the recessremain largely uncovered by liquefiable material. By adjusting the angleof the edge 10, it is possible to adjust the radial component, as isshown schematically by the arrows 28.

In FIG. 6, it is no longer the intermediate state from FIG. 5 that isdepicted, but the actual final state in which the collar is pushed ontothe guide pin 3 as far as an abutment, and all the material of theamelioration sleeve is distributed into the radially adjoining cavities.It can be seen in particular from the enlarged detail that the materialof the amelioration sleeve, in the displaced form 12, is arrangedexclusively in the undesired radially adjoining cavities and is notsimply transported only toward the bottom. At the exact location wherethe implant receives its primary stabilization, namely on thecircumferential cylinder surface of the recess, a substantiallyincreased contact surface is thereby made available for an anchoring ofthe implant, and, at the same time, the least possible amount of foreignmaterial is introduced into the bone. The collar does not necessarilyhave to be pushed on as far as the abutment, and it is also possible todiscontinue the process slightly earlier if material of the ameliorationsleeve at the bottom is not intended to be displaced in the radialdirection.

Thereafter, as is shown in FIG. 7, the tool can be removed from therecess, either with the ultrasound switched on or switched off, and therecess is now ameliorated within the meaning of the invention, as isrepresented by reference sign 29. This means that the circumferentialsurface 33 of the ameliorated recess 29 is limited by the liquefiablematerial, at least in all the places where cavities were adjoining therecess. The liquefiable material does of course solidify again after theultrasound input has been switched off.

The recess ameliorated in this way can either be left in as it were asealed state, if such is the aim of the operation, or, as will generallybe the case, the actual implant can now be secured in the recess. Thisstep is shown in FIG. 8 for a situation in which a device 31 forscrewing in the implant is pressed down by a finger 34 and driven with atorque wrench 35. The actual mounting device 36 is secured on the innerface of the implant 30 and removed again after the mounting procedure.The implant can also be inserted using the handpiece (mechanically).Normally, the sonotrode may not yet be attached.

FIG. 9 shows the implant suitably inserted, and the actual toothprosthesis, for example, can now be fitted onto such an implant 30.

As was explained at the outset, the proposed method can generally beused in a human tissue area or a human bone, or equally in an animalbone, or generally in a porous material (e.g. wood).

FIG. 10 shows an application of the proposed method in connection withspinal column bones 39. Here, a screw 38 instead of a dental implant isinserted into an ameliorated recess 40 (generated by a method analogousto that shown in FIGS. 1 to 7). Such a screw 38 also has a very highprimary stability; such a screw can be used, for example, to secure arelative fixing 41.

For the sake of completeness, it will also be shown, with reference toFIG. 11, how the amelioration sleeve or guide pin and the collar can bedifferently configured according to requirements. The normal situationwill be the one shown in FIG. 11 a). Here, the amelioration sleeve,shown in a section perpendicular to the axis of the guide pin asindicated by A-A in FIG. 3, has an external diameter D and a centralrecess with an internal diameter d. In this case, it is a relativelythin amelioration sleeve, that is to say a small amount of liquefiablematerial is made available. The guide pin 3 with an external diameter dis arranged in this amelioration sleeve.

If more liquefiable material is now to be made available, a thinnerguide pin 3 and an amelioration sleeve with greater wall thickness canbe used, as is indicated by the broken line 42.

Alternative designs of the cross-sectional surface areas of guide pin 3and amelioration sleeve 6 are shown in Figures b)-e). It is in otherwords possible that the guide pin has, for example, a square crosssection, as is shown in FIG. 11 b). It can be advantageous in this caseif the corners of the square extend almost to the periphery of theamelioration sleeve, although the square can also have a smallercross-sectional surface area. This is shown for the case of a hexagonalcross-sectional surface area in

FIG. 11 c), and for a thinner amelioration sleeve and a symmetricaloctagonal cross section in FIG. 11 d). It is also conceivable to provideother shapes for the cross-sectional surface area of the guide pin 3.For example, FIG. 11 e) shows a situation in which the guide pin has across-shaped cross-sectional surface area. Such shapes are possible, forexample, for the targeted introduction of liquefiable material indirections where there is known to be considerable porosity.

Particularly when the collar 4 is coupled to the sonotrode and transmitsthe ultrasonic oscillation energy, it can be problematic if the wallthickness of the collar 4 is too small. In these situations, the wallthickness of the collar 4 should lie at least in the range of 0.5-0.8mm. On the other hand, however, it can happen, for example, that theporosity of the wall of the recess is not particularly pronounced and,accordingly, an amelioration sleeve with such a wall thickness of0.5-0.8 mm would introduce too much material.

The illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 12 is advantageous for such asituation, as is that of Figure described further below. Theamelioration sleeve 6 in this case has, along a wide axial section, asmaller wall thickness than the collar 4. This is achieved by aprocedure in which, while leaving an inwardly directed distal flange 43(the flange can be circumferential, or it can also be formed only inparts in the manner of projections), the inner face of the ameliorationsleeve is hollowed out circumferentially (or is not completely hollowedout circumferentially, that is to say, for example, leaving a number ofaxial webs in contact with the guide pin 3). Thus, a hollow space 45forms between the guide pin 3 and the now thinner outer wall 44 of theamelioration sleeve. This thin outer wall can have a wall thickness inthe range of 0.1-1 mm and can, for example, be easily just 0.1-0.3 mm.

To ensure that the collar 4, in the case of such an amelioration sleeve6, can still optimally introduce the material of the amelioration sleeveradially into the wall of the recess, the collar 4 is designed, at itsdistal end, with a tapered cylindrical area 46 having a smaller externaldiameter. The radial offset of this step at the distal end of the collar4 corresponds substantially to the wall thickness of the ameliorationsleeve in the area 44.

The tapered cylindrical area 46 can be designed narrowing conically atits distal end, although, as is shown in FIG. 12, it can also bedesigned as a right-angled step.

At the transition from the tapered cylindrical area 46 to the area ofthe collar 4 arranged behind this with the actual external diameter ofthe collar, there is a conically tapering area 48.

The tapered cylindrical area 46 accordingly engages with the tip in thehollow space 45 of the amelioration sleeve 6. The proximal end of theamelioration sleeve thus abuts against the inclined flank 48.

If, as is indicated by the arrow 15, ultrasonic oscillation is nowintroduced in the longitudinal direction via the collar, theamelioration sleeve 6 liquefies basically only in the area of theconical transition 48. By means of the inclined flank in this area 48,the liquefied material is selectively liquefied, exclusively in thisarea, and distributed radially outward into the peripheral area of therecess and into the porosity present there. On account of the fact thatthe material of the amelioration sleeve 6 liquefies basically only inthe area 48, the small wall thickness of the area 44 is also notgenerally problematic; despite the small wall thickness there, theamelioration sleeve has virtually no tendency to buckle into the hollowspace 45 under the longitudinal pressure, for example.

If the collar is now moved successively leftward in the actual situationin FIG. 12, only the thin wall area 44 liquefies in each case only inthe zone 48, and it is only in the zone 48 that the liquefied materialis forced radially outward, until the tip 47 abuts against the flange43. Here, the process can either by discontinued, or further liquefyingtakes place, now in the bottom area, with slightly more material of theamelioration sleeve. In order to drive the material radially outward inthe bottom area too, it is possible, as has already been mentioned, forthe area 47 likewise to have a conical shape.

In this construction, the collar 4 is now designed with a small wallthickness only in the very front cylindrical area 46, and this area 46is also used basically only for guiding, whereas in the area arrangedbehind this, where the greater forces are present, a greater wallthickness can be used without this also requiring a corresponding wallthickness of the amelioration sleeve 6.

For applications in the dental field, the front cylindrical area 46typically has a length of circa 0.1-5 mm, preferably 0.1-1 mm or 0.2-0.5mm in the axial direction, preferably a length of 0.1-0.25 mm.

As has already been explained above, it is also possible that theexternal diameter of the collar 4 is slightly greater than the originalinternal diameter of the recess. This is shown by way of example in FIG.13. Here, the recess in the bottom area 9 is again tapered, and theguide pin 3 protrudes with its distal end into this bottom area. Theinternal diameter of the recess further to the right in FIG. 13, abovethis bottom area, corresponds substantially to the external diameter ofthe amelioration sleeve 6, that is to say the pin 3 and ameliorationsleeve 6 can be pushed substantially without resistance into the recess.By contrast, the collar 4 has an external diameter that is slightlygreater than the internal diameter of the recess (the diameter is, forexample, 0.1-0.2 mm greater than the internal diameter). If the collar 4is now pressed into the recess, this leads to an enforced widening ofthe recess, as is indicated schematically by the already widened portion49.

Such enforced widening by the collar 4 can, for example, be of advantageif, for example, the recess does not have the desired shape and/or thedesired diameter and this is to be rectified by the collar 4.

As a supplement to the illustrative embodiment according to FIG. 12, twofurther possibilities of the use of a thin amelioration sleeve 6 areshown in FIG. 14. In the illustrative embodiment according to FIG. 14 a,the amelioration sleeve 6 is not designed with an inwardly directeddistal flange as in FIG. 12, and instead it is designed as a simplehollow cylinder. At its distal end, this hollow cylinder, in theillustrative embodiment according to FIG. 14 a, is supported by a flange50 which is formed integrally on the guide pin or which is secured inthe form of a ring thereon. In other words, at the distal end, theamelioration sleeve lies with its inner surface on the outer surface ofthis flange 50. A similar support to the one in FIG. 12 is thus ensured.

The flange then generally also serves as an abutment for the collar 4.

The flange 50 can be formed all around the circumference, in which caseit serves as an abutment for the surface 47 and limits the forwardmovement of the collar 4. However, the flange 50 can also only formsegments. It is then possible to design the tapered area 46 withcomplementary segments, which then makes it possible, when the collar 4is advanced fully into the distal area, for these complementary segmentsof the area 46 to engage through the complementary segments of theflange 50, and as a result the entire material of the ameliorationsleeve can be liquefied.

A second illustrative embodiment is shown in FIG. 14 b. In this case,the flange 50 has a stepped design on the proximal side. In other words,the flange 50 has an external diameter that corresponds substantially tothe external diameter of the collar 4 (it can also be slightly smallerhowever). On the rear face of the flange 50, the latter is hollowed outcircumferentially to form a step 51. The radial depth of this stepcorresponds substantially to the thickness of the amelioration sleeve 6(if the external diameter of the flange is slightly less than theexternal diameter of the collar 4, the depth of the step is alsocorrespondingly smaller). The distal end of the amelioration sleeve 6thus lies in this step and is supported by this step both in theradially inward direction and also in the forward direction, that is tosay toward the distal end. This avoids a situation where, during aforward movement of the collar 4, the amelioration sleeve 6 is pushedover the distal end of the guide pin 3 and is simply pushed into thebottom area of the recess without being liquefied. In the illustrativeembodiment according to FIG. 14 b also, it is possible for the flange 50to be designed only in segments and for the area 46 to be configuredwith complementary segments.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   1 device-   2 handle of 1 with sonotrode-   3 guide pin-   4 collar-   5 edge of 4-   6 amelioration sleeve-   7 bone-   8 bore/recess to be ameliorated in 7-   9 tapered bottom area of 8-   10 conical tip of 4-   11 cavities in 7-   12 material of 6 displaced into 11-   13 direction of movement of 4 to 3-   14 transverse direction of the ultrasonic oscillation-   15 longitudinal direction of the ultrasonic oscillation-   16 rotational ultrasonic oscillation-   17 tooth-   18 gum-   19 gap-   20 drill-   21 securing flange for drive of 20-   22 drill turns-   23 tapering at tip of 20, guide tip-   24 drilling direction-   25 upper attachment of 4 on 2, rotary attachment, bayonet attachment    or snap-fit attachment-   26 central recess in 4 for 3-   27 upper flank on 6-   28 direction of displacement of liquefied material (blue arrows)-   29 ameliorated recess in the bone-   30 implant-   31 device for screwing the implant into ameliorated recess-   32 holder-   33 circumferential surface of 29-   34 finger-   35 torque wrench-   36 mounting device for implant-   37 mounting device for implant with possibility of insertion of    sonotrode-   38 screw-   39 spinal column bone-   40 ameliorated recess in 39-   41 relative fixing-   42 schematic indication (broken line) of a situation for a thicker    amelioration sleeve-   43 inwardly directed flange of amelioration sleeve-   44 thin wall of amelioration sleeve-   45 hollow space between guide pin and amelioration sleeve-   46 tapered cylindrical area of collar-   47 distal end of 46-   48 conical transition area to the tapered cylindrical area of the    collar-   49 already widened portion of the recess-   50 support flange on 3-   51 proximal step in 50-   D external diameter of collar/amelioration sleeve-   d external diameter of guide pin or internal diameter of recess in    collar and internal diameter of amelioration sleeve

1.-15. (canceled)
 16. A method for the amelioration of a recess in aporous, perforate material having cavities freed by the recess, using adevice comprising an element for generating or coupling in mechanicalenergy, and a cylindrical collar with cylindrical jacket surface havingan external diameter and having a central recess for receiving a guidepin, wherein the guide pin is provided to be inserted substantially asfar as the bottom of the recess before mechanical energy is applied,wherein the guide pin, in the area of the end thereof directed towardthe bottom of the recess, is surrounded by an amelioration sleeve madefrom a material that can be liquefied by mechanical energy, wherein thecylindrical jacket surface of the amelioration sleeve has substantiallythe same external diameter as the collar, and wherein the guide pin isreceived movably in the central recess such that, when mechanical energyis applied, the collar can be moved relative to the guide pin in thedirection toward the bottom of the recess while liquefying and laterallyand/or longitudinally displacing the material of the amelioration sleevewherein the cylindrical collar has a circular cylindrical jacketsurface, and the amelioration sleeve has a circular cylindrical jacketsurface, and wherein the external diameter of the collar and of theamelioration sleeve are substantially the same as the internal diameterof the recess to be ameliorated, and wherein the collar, at its distalend, has a circumferential distal edge tapering toward said distal end,wherein this distal edge is either straight, and therefore conical, orcurved, namely concave or convex, or has a radially stepped design atthe distal end, wherein the circumferential distal edge is arranged atthe step transition, and wherein the amelioration sleeve is a simplehollow cylinder, wherein the device, with mounted guide pin and mountedamelioration sleeve, is pushed into the recess which has optionally beenpre-drilled and which has an internal diameter correspondingsubstantially to the external diameter of collar and ameliorationsleeve, until the guide pin abuts against the bottom of the recessand/or engages in a guide taper arranged at the bottom of the recess,and then, with simultaneous liquefying of the amelioration sleeve byapplied ultrasound, and with pushing of the distal end of the collarinto the recess, liquefied material is introduced into lateral cavities,adjoining the recess.
 17. A method according to claim 16, wherein it isapplied to a recess in a foam, wood or a wood-like material, or a humanor animal bone.
 18. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein thecentral recess is a circular cylindrical recess which is arrangedcoaxially with respect to the cylindrical jacket surface, wherein theamelioration sleeve has a circular cylindrical recess for receiving theguide pin, and wherein the guide pin has a circular cylindrical outersurface, wherein the internal diameters of said recesses aresubstantially the same as the external diameter of the guide pin. 19.The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the guide pin is pushed intothe collar at most as far as an abutment position, wherein the guidepin, in this abutment position, ends at most flush with the distal endof the collar, or protrudes beyond this end, wherein the protrudinglength in the abutment position is at least 1-10 mm.
 20. The method asclaimed in claim 16, wherein the external diameter of the collar is inthe range of 1-80 mm, and wherein the external diameter of the guide pinis 0.1-20 mm less, and wherein the amelioration sleeve has a thicknesssuch that the external diameter thereof is the same as the externaldiameter of the collar.
 21. The method as claimed in claim 16, whereinthe element generates mechanical energy in the form of ultrasonicoscillations in the frequency range of 10 kHz-100 MHz or 20-150 kHzwhich are transmitted in the longitudinal, transverse or rotationaldirection, or in a combination or linear combination of thesedirections, to the collar and/or guide pin and thus indirectly to theamelioration sleeve, wherein the collar is optionally secured on thesonotrode, and the guide pin can be moved therein, or the guide pin issecured on the sonotrode, and the collar can be moved, or collar andguide pin are secured on a sonotrode or coupled thereto.
 22. The methodas claimed in claim 16, wherein the amelioration sleeve is made from amaterial that can be liquefied by oscillation energy, and that isselected from the following group: thermoplastic biocompatible polymersselected from the group of polyolefins selected from PP, LDPE, HDPE,UHMWPE, polyoxymethylene, polyaryl ether ketones, PAEK, PEEK, PEKK,polycarbonates, polyacrylates, PMMA, polyamides, polyesters, PET, PBT,polysulfones and polyether sulfones, PSU, PES or biodegradable orresorbable polymers, selected from the group of poly(L-lactide) (PLLA),poly(D,L-lactide), or stereocopolymers thereof with a variable ratio ofthe L and D,L part, polyglycolides (PGA) or copolymers, selected fromthe group polyglycolide-co-trimethyelene carbonate (PGA-co-TMC),poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide), (PDLLA-co-PGA) andpoly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLLA-co-PGA), poly(e-caprolactone),polydioxanones, trimethylene carbonates, polyorthoesters (POE) and otherpolyanhydrides, resorbable polymers which are produced from natural rawmaterials, namely modified polysaccharides, or a combination or amixture of these materials, wherein one or more pharmaceutical activesubstances can optionally also be provided in this material or thismaterial mixture or applied as a layer on this material, wherein thesepharmaceutical active substances are released in a controlled manner.23. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the device, with mountedguide pin and mounted amelioration sleeve, is pushed into a recess whichhas optionally been pre-drilled and which has an internal diametercorresponding substantially to the external diameter of collar andamelioration sleeve, until the guide pin abuts against the bottom of therecess and/or engages in a guide taper arranged at the bottom of therecess, and then, with simultaneous liquefying of the ameliorationsleeve by applied ultrasound, and with pushing of the distal end of thecollar into the recess, liquefied material is introduced into cavities,namely lateral cavities, adjoining the recess, wherein a securingdevice, an implant or a screw, if appropriate with partial self-tapping,is then screwed into the ameliorated recess.
 24. The method as claimedin claim 16, wherein the recess is a recess in an at least partiallyporous technical material.
 25. The method as claimed in claim 16,wherein the recess is a recess in wood or wood-like material, or foammaterial.
 26. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the recess is arecess in a polymer foam, a composite foam and/or a metal foam, or in anat least partially porous human or animal bone section.
 27. The methodas claimed in claim 16, wherein the recess is a recess in a jaw bone ora spinal column bone.
 28. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein therecess is generated at least partially by preliminary drilling.
 29. Amethod as claimed in claim 16, wherein the device, with mounted guidepin and mounted amelioration sleeve, is pushed into a recess which hasoptionally been pre-drilled and which has an internal diametercorresponding substantially to the external diameter of collar andamelioration sleeve, until the guide pin abuts against the bottom of therecess and/or engages in a guide taper arranged at the bottom of therecess, and then, with simultaneous liquefying of the ameliorationsleeve by applied ultrasound, and with pushing of the distal end of thecollar into the recess, liquefied material is introduced into cavities,namely lateral cavities, adjoining the recess.
 30. A method for theamelioration of a recess in a porous, perforate material having cavitiesfreed by the recess, in a foam, wood or a wood-like material, or a humanor animal bone, using a device comprising an element for generating orcoupling in mechanical energy, and a cylindrical collar with cylindricaljacket surface having an external diameter and having a central recessfor receiving a guide pin, wherein the guide pin is provided to beinserted substantially as far as the bottom of the recess beforemechanical energy is applied, wherein the guide pin, in the area of theend thereof directed toward the bottom of the recess, is surrounded byan amelioration sleeve made from a material that can be liquefied bymechanical energy, wherein the cylindrical jacket surface of theamelioration sleeve has substantially the same external diameter as thecollar, and wherein the guide pin is received movably in the centralrecess such that, when mechanical energy is applied, the collar can bemoved relative to the guide pin in the direction toward the bottom ofthe recess while liquefying and laterally and/or longitudinallydisplacing the material of the amelioration sleeve wherein thecylindrical collar has a circular cylindrical jacket surface, and theamelioration sleeve has a circular cylindrical jacket surface, andwherein the external diameter of the collar and of the ameliorationsleeve are substantially the same as the internal diameter of the recessto be ameliorated, and wherein the collar, at its distal end, has acircumferential distal edge tapering toward said distal end, whereinthis distal edge is either straight, and therefore conical, or curved,namely concave or convex, or has a radially stepped design at the distalend, wherein the circumferential distal edge is arranged at the steptransition, and wherein the amelioration sleeve is a simple hollowcylinder, wherein the device, with mounted guide pin and mountedamelioration sleeve, is pushed into the recess which has optionally beenpre-drilled and which has an internal diameter correspondingsubstantially to the external diameter of collar and ameliorationsleeve, until the guide pin abuts against the bottom of the recessand/or engages in a guide taper arranged at the bottom of the recess,and then, with simultaneous liquefying of the amelioration sleeve byapplied ultrasound, and with pushing of the distal end of the collarinto the recess, liquefied material is introduced into lateral cavities,adjoining the recess, wherein a securing device, an implant or a screw,if appropriate with partial self-tapping, is then screwed into theameliorated recess.